1999 Michigan Softball

April 3, 1999

Site: Columbus, Ohio (Buckeye Field)
Results: #7 Michigan 7-12 (5), Ohio State 3-4
Records: U-M (29-5-1, 2-0 Big Ten), OSU (10-15, 0-2 Big Ten)
Next U-M Games: Sunday, April 4 -- at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), 1 p.m.

Michigan Sweeps Buckeyes to Open Big Ten Slate

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A strong offensive effort by No. 7-ranked University of Michigan in both ends of Saturday's (April 3) softball doubleheader produced a Big Ten Conference season-opening sweep vs. Ohio State University and extended the Wolverines' unbeaten streak to 25 games.

Michigan (29-5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) held off a late-inning rally by Ohio State (10-15, 0-2 Big Ten) in the opener to win 7-3, then posted a 12-4 five-inning run-rule win the second game. The two teams finish the three-game weekend series with a 1 p.m. game Sunday (April 4).

The Wolverines shelled the Buckeye pitching staff for 27 hits -- nine for extra bases -- over the twinbill. U-M freshman designated player Stefanie Volpe (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth-Salem HS) had the most success against OSU, singling in game one and scattering three singles and a double in four at-bats in game two. Rebecca Tune (Aloha, Ore./Jesuit HS) had two hits in each game.

Michigan jumped to a first-inning 3-0 lead in the opener, scoring on a Catherine Davie (Westlake Village, Calif./Westlake HS) double and sacrifice flies by Volpe and Tammy Mika (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS). Ohio State avoided a shutout with three unearned runs on a double and two U-M errors in the fifth.

Sophomore Marie Barda (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South HS) tallied her 10th win of the season, tossing the two-hit opening win. Barda (10-1) struck out five Buckeyes and allowed no earned runs in her first career Big Ten win. Toni Hileman (4-11) took the loss.

An RBI double by Traci Conrad (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way HS), a Davie sacrifice fly and a Volpe two-run single in the bottom of the fifth gave the Wolverines the eight-run rule win in the second game. Junior Jamie Gillies (Saugus, Calif./Saugus HS) struck out four and allowed eight hits in winning her second career game vs. Ohio State. Gillies goes to 8-2 for the year. Samantha Kimura (1-1) was the loser.

Maize 'n Blue Diamond Gems

Traci Conrad moved among the all-time Big Ten Conference and NCAA Division I softball hitters when she recorded a single in her third at-bat in the Wolverines' opening game. Holder of Michigan's career hits record (302) and a two-time All-American, Conrad recorded her 300th career hit with the single. She becomes the fourth Big Ten and 16th NCAA Division I player to reach the 300-hit milestone. . . . Conrad is chasing the all-time Big Ten record of 313 hits held by Minnesota's Rachel Nelson (1994-97).

Wolverine Catherine Davie tallied career home run No. 16 with a solo shot to center field in the first inning of game two. The senior left fielder, Michigan's leading hitter (.426), is three home runs shy of tying the school record of 19. Davie also doubled twice in the opener, pushing her career doubles total to 56, two shy of tying the U-M record of 58.

Michigan pushed its lead in the all-time softball series vs. Ohio State to 53-17, winning the 11th and 12th straight games against the Buckeyes. . . . U-M head coach Carol Hutchins goes to 41-11 vs. OSU. . . . Catherine Davie earned her 200th career start with her left field assignment in game one. . . . Kelsey Kollen (Cerritos, Calif./Mater Dei HS) was 3-for-8 with a double in her first games vs. her sister Candace's collegiate softball alma mater.

Contact: Amy Carlton (734) 763-4423

Last updated: Saturday, 03-Apr-1999 20:07:25 EST